Fighting HIV: a Promising Sucess Story

As part of a groundbreaking HIV cure trial conducted in Durban, South Africa, 20% of participants remain off antiretroviral therapy (ART) while being virally suppressed after a year and a half, and these promising results could make a difference in the fight against the disease.

“Studying how the 20% managed to control the virus on their own will help scientists develop better HIV cure strategies, as well as work out ways to improve future treatments,” explains Professor Thumbi Ndung’u. “This trial is also significant because it proves that complex HIV cure research can be successfully conducted in resource-limited settings where the need is greatest and highlights the importance of including African populations in global scientific advancements.”

Twenty women took part in the first HIV cure trial in Africa, which is an important milestone. Indeed, women are a group disproportionately affected by HIV yet often underrepresented in cure-related research. The participants were treated with antiretrovirals soon after contracting HIV. Once the virus was controlled by ART, the female participants were administered powerful immune boosters. The women were then taken off ART to see if their bodies could prevent the virus. The results show that 30% of participants, or six out of 20, were able to stay off HIV treatment for nearly a year. Four participants – or 20% – remained off treatment until the trial ended at 55 weeks and have continued without medication for an average of a year and a half.